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5 potential draft-day trades the Heat can make

By Wes Goldberg

Feb 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) goes up to block a shot by Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) during the second half at Barclays Center. Maimi won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) goes up to block a shot by Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) during the second half at Barclays Center. Maimi won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles up court against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones (1) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles up court against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones (1) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

2. A top pick

Miami gets: No. 7, Tyus Jones
Minnesota gets: No. 16, Goran Dragic
Chicago gets: Ricky Rubio

Pat Riley doesn’t value draft picks as much as the rest of the NBA, but if he has a conviction on a player, it wouldn’t surprise me if he wanted to move up. Goran Dragic is a near-All-Star, but he’s not quite a franchise player and, at 31, won’t develop into one. Now, let’s say a player Riley believes has a good a chance to become the new face of the Heat fell to No. 7, where the Timberwolves are picking. Would Riley trade Dragic to Minnesota–who have plenty of young talent but are desperate for veteran leadership–to draft that player? It’s possible and, more importantly, likely doable.

The Timberwolves in this situation would want to part with Ricky Rubio, who the Chicago Bulls might be interested in trading for.

With the No. 7 pick, Miami could end up with Jonathan Isaac, Dennis Smith Jr. or Malik Monk. Of course, there is no way Riley does this if he doesn’t think one of these guys can be the next franchise player of the Heat. It’s not something he’s likely to do, but when guys like Steph Curry (7) and Damian Lillard (6) were selected outside the top-five, it’s worth considering.

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